Zenwifi BT8 Manual?

[joechip]

I am considering replacing my 12-year old Asus router with a current Zenwifi BT8 (with one mesh satellite). Although I am not an SME, I know how to perform my desired configuration options manually through its web interface, such renaming and hiding the SSID, implementing MAC filtering, and using the parental controls.
I considered some other Asus mesh routers (e.g. ET9 and XT8), and I can easily understand their configuration options by downloading and reviewing their ~130-page operating manuals. However, in the case of the BT8, in which I think that I am finally interested, its online manual is 25% the length (~30 pages) of the others and is much higher level, not very useful for me at all. Configuration options such as the few I have listed above are not even mentioned. Furthermore, I am not even sure that the BT8 has a web interface.
There is a searchable FAQ on the Asus product web page, but some of my searches such as "SSID" and "hidden SSID" return no results.
Does the BT8 even have a web interface? Is it comparable to the web interfaces of other Asus routers? How can I determine the unit's configurable options before buying? Is there a more complete manual hiding somewhere?
In my current case, I may have to disable NAT in the router, since the upstream T-Mobile internet gateway (not yet integrated into my main home network) evidently performs NAT, and I can't access this parameter to turn it off. So, I need to learn about that.

thanks

 

[jzchen]

If it's still true what I've read in the past T-Mobile service uses a gateway and unfortunately doesn't allow Bridge Mode nor IP Passthrough (AT&T's option). You'd want to set the primary BT8 as an Access Point and the other as it's AiMesh node.

Regarding the manual I just checked and it is 30 pages. But section 3 is interestingly a bunch of hyperlinks to Tutorials/FAQs online. (A good way to easily keep them up to date without having to go and revise manuals one by one)...

 

[joechip]

jzchen, thank you for your quick reply. As far as I can tell, the only configuration that T-Mobile gateway only allows me is to name the SSID and configure its wifi service. That's about it. I have no visibility into anything else that it does. The T-Mobile gateway also includes a separate mesh access point.
If I configure the BT8 as an access point, what is the point of having the BT8 at all? My intention was to use its IP assignment, wifi (WAP3), MAC filtering, and parental controls. None of these functions will be available if the BT8 is configured as an access point, will they?
If I am correct, and they are not, couldn't I just use a network switch instead of the BT8?

 

[jzchen]

Your questions are all valid....

IP assignment will be provided by the T-Mobile Gateway DHCP server. You would need to depend on it for MAC filtering and if available parental controls.

A network switch is an access point minus WiFi. Or an access point is a switch with added WiFi function/reach. WPA3 would be an available benefit of adding the BT8. You may find the pair useful if your home is large and have some dead spots/areas with the T-Mobile mesh. AiMesh would function and you could have devices seamlessly roam between the two BT8...

I don't know T-Mobile's Internet policies nor how committed you are to keeping their service, but without the option to bridge or Passthrough the service isn't one I'd recommend to friends/family...

 

[joechip]

The T-Mobile Gateway (TMO-4GAR) has a DHCP server, I believe, but no ability to do MAC filtering or parental control. These tasks would have to be done by the external router.

I've done some research online, and even though I don't understand this, some seem to have gotten an external router to work (as a router) with the T-Mobile Gateway by doing the following:

1) Allow double NAT (supposedly does not noticeably affect throughput)
2) Disable IPV6 NAT on the router

It seems that disabling the T-Mobile wifi and using the router's wifi is recommended.

I can handle configuring all of the above, but I emphasize that I have not tried this yet. (I'm still selecting a new router.) My primary internet is Centurylink DSL, and I was hoping to replace that with T-Mobile. (The latter will cost about 10% of the former, which is nice, but more importantly, CL is not reliable and embodies all the qualities of bad/non-existent technical support, whereas TM support is readily available.)

I could also give up the idea of using an external router entirely and just surrender to the T-Mobile one and let it have its way. But, my home network is not a simple one. It has several PC's, several streaming devices, and a NAS, all hard-wired. I wonder if it is possible for the T-Mobile GW to manage all of this.

Also, in my present setup, the CL DSL modem/router is operating in default mode; I have never messed with it. Its 1G port is connected to the WAN port of my existing ASUS router. I've never done any configuration at all with the CL modem/router (exceptp to disable wifi), but I have configured MAC filtering and parental controls on the ASUS router, and this overall setup has worked fine for years. IPV6 is "disabled" on the ASUS router, and NAT is enabled.

I am in a position to try the T-Mobile internet separately from my primary network (I still have CL.) I may obtain a new ASUS router and try it out with the TM Gateway. If I cannot get it to work as desired, I could just give up on TM internet, continue living with CL , and replace my existing ASUS router with the new one.

It occurred to me I'm writing this lengthy response more to organize my thinking than I am for you, but any comments are welcome.

 

[degrub]

Try it separately. And prepare for widely varying bandwidth using the cell network as your internet access. If you have strong 5G signal where you are, you may be able to have decent bandwidth. But you will be throttled when user demand/contention is high. Also, if you game, latency should be researched. Read the fine print in the contract. No substitute for fiber/cable/dsl hardwire service.

i had a friend that tried similar service with verizon. Terrible , inconsistent bandwidth across cellular. And they had very strong signal. Lasted a week and went back to ATT fiber for a higher price.